Pirates A to Z: Cody Ponce took a big step in starting role in doubleheader duty

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Nik Turley.

Cody Ponce

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Right

Age: 26

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 255 pounds

2020 MLB statistics: Went 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA/1.059 WHIP in five games, including three starts.

Contract: Not yet eligible for arbitration.

Acquired: Traded by the Milwaukee Brewers, in exchange for pitcher Jordan Lyles, in July 2019.

This past season: Ponce made a memorable major-league debut, more so for the loss he overcame than the one he endured.

On Aug. 2, Ponce wore his heart not just on his sleeve but his feet — sporting custom cleats honoring both Pittsburgh and his hometown of Pomona, Calif., and a grey ribbon on the heels in memory of his mother, Jennifer, who succumbed to brain cancer Dec. 1, 2017.

“Those cleats meant a lot to me,” Ponce said. “I knew that was the only day that they were going to be worn, no matter what, so those things will be put up for the rest of my life.”

The Pirates put Ponce in an unenviable position, bringing him in from the bullpen in the 11th inning with a runner on second against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. After getting Anthony Rizzo to fly out to right field, Javier Baez singled up the middle off Ponce to score David Bote for a 2-1 win. The result didn’t dampen Ponce’s spirits.

“Something I’ll never be able to forget,” Ponce said. “It was a little difficult at the same time. I wasn’t able to share it with one person in particular, but it was a whirlwind of emotions.”

After one more relief appearance, the Pirates sent Ponce to their alternate training site to stretch him out so he could start in seven-inning doubleheaders when the roster expanded for an extra pitcher.

“When they optioned me back down to Altoona with all those guys, seeing everybody working their tails off and grinding and staying ready for whatever may happen, I was talking to (Triple-A pitching coach Joel) Hanrahan, and he was just like, ‘Hey, if this happens, are you ready?’ ” Ponce said. “I kind of took every start down there, the two that I had, and kinda put it in the back of my head that, ‘You know, I’m starting a big league game today.’ The nerves were definitely there when I stepped out on the bump for the first inning, including on the second, then got a little bit more comfortable after the second. I was like, ‘You know what, I’m here and I’m just going to do my best that I can right now.’”

Cody Ponce made his first-career start last night for the #Pirates.@biggentleben’s take:
After a 2019 midseason trade from the Brewers, Ponce had an impressive AFL showing. His first MLB start Thursday led to 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the Cardinals.#LetsGoBucs #PLive pic.twitter.com/qOOx8yaNt4

— Prospects Live (@ProspectsLive) August 28, 2020

In his first career start Aug. 27, Ponce pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a 2-0 Game 2 win at St. Louis. He faced 22 batters, threw 51 of his 77 pitches for strikes and allowed five hits, including a Brad Miller triple, with two walks and two strikeouts.

It was the first of three doubleheader starts for Ponce, who faced NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer in his second start Sept. 4. Ponce walked leadoff hitter Joey Votto, then gave up a two-run home run to Eugenio Suarez for a 2-0 hole in the first inning but retired two batters with a runner in scoring position in the second and struck out the side in the third before surrendering a solo homer to Mike Moustakas in the fourth. Ponce allowed three runs on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts in four innings in the 4-3 win.

Ponce faced the Reds again, starting Game 1 of a doubleheader Sept. 14 at Great American Ball Park. He allowed a solo home run to Votto, a pair of walks and struck out three in four innings in a 3-1 loss.

“I think it really helps him,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “We’ve talked about opportunities and guys getting opportunities and taking advantage of them. His opportunities have been limited. He was in the bullpen with us earlier. He had a tough first loss with the (11th) inning in Chicago, but he’s had the spot starts or 29th man starts and has done a really nice job. In the short time, he’s seized his opportunities.”

Cody Ponce, 90mph Slider...and KO. ? pic.twitter.com/pVOBrRdYWN

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 6, 2020

What the Pirates liked was how Ponce was able to rely on his cutter, curveball and fastball when his changeup wasn’t working and how he was competitive on the mound and such a lovable goofball off it.

If you know Cody Ponce than you know this is Cody? Free spirit and enjoying life?? #PFA90mphDanceClub lol pic.twitter.com/hGGofeGSy7

— Dave Coggin (@PFAbaseball) May 29, 2015

“I think everybody knows I’m a very fun and happy kind of guy four out of five days,” Ponce said. “I just have a lot of fun. But when it comes to stepping in between those lines, I kind of go into a different person. But we all just kind of go out there and do our best, put our best foot forward and try to get a ‘W’ as much as we can.”

The future: Ponce was a reliever in the Brewers system when the Pirates traded Lyles at the 2019 deadline, but he showed he has the potential to be at least a situational starter.

Cracking the Pirates’ rotation could be difficult, with Mitch Keller, Jameson Taillon, Joe Musgrove, Steven Brault, Chad Kuhl and JT Brubaker fighting for five spots. It is possible Ponce could return to the bullpen, or the Pirates could make room by trading a veteran starter.

With three years before he reaches arbitration, Ponce promises to be an affordable arm for the Pirates who already has shown he won’t shrink on the big stage. After starting the season with the focus on his feet, he took a big step forward by showing his heart.